Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s most lucrative STR markets — and one of its most tightly regulated. The town divides its geography into four licensing zones, each with hard caps on the percentage of housing units that may hold an Accommodation Unit License. Zone 3 residential areas have a 10% cap and are heavily waitlisted. Licenses are not transferable when a property sells. And at $756 per bedroom per year, these aren’t cheap. Here’s everything you need to know.
Active hosts in Breckenridge average $87,124/year in gross rental revenue (AirDNA, 2026).
📋 Breckenridge STR Permit — 2026 At a Glance
| Permit Name | Accommodation Unit License (AUL) |
| Application Fee | $756 per bedroom per year |
| Annual Renewal | $756 per bedroom per year |
| Processing Time | 2–6 weeks (Zone 1); months to years (Zone 2/3 waitlist) |
| Primary Residence Only? | Yes |
| Licensing Difficulty | Very Hard |
Do You Need a License to Short-Term Rent in Breckenridge?
Breckenridge’s Accommodation Unit License program divides the town into four zones with different availability levels. The Resort Zone (commercial/hotel areas) has no cap and licenses are generally available. Zone 1 (high-density residential near resort) allows up to 92% of housing units to hold licenses — availability remains. Zone 2 (mid-density residential) is capped at 51% of housing units — waitlisted. Zone 3 (lower-density residential) is capped at just 10% of housing units — heavily waitlisted with multi-year wait times reported. Licenses are priced at $756 per bedroom per year, making a 3-bedroom license $2,268/year. Critically, AULs do not convey with property sales — new owners must reapply and enter the waitlist for their zone.
How to Get a Breckenridge Short-Term Rental Permit: Step by Step
- Check your property’s zone designation using the Breckenridge Town GIS map at breckgov.com/licensing.
- If your zone has availability, submit an Accommodation Unit License application through the Town of Breckenridge online portal.
- Pay the fee of $756 per bedroom (e.g., $1,512 for a 2-bedroom, $2,268 for a 3-bedroom).
- Complete a property inspection for life safety compliance (smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguishers, egress windows).
- Upon approval, display your AUL number on all listing platforms.
- Renew annually by the license anniversary date — the fee resets to $756/bedroom each year.
- If purchasing a property with an existing AUL, note that the license does not transfer — you must reapply in your zone.
Breckenridge Short-Term Rental Fees (2026)
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Unit License (per bedroom) | $756 | Annual |
| 1-bedroom property | $756 | Annual |
| 2-bedroom property | $1,512 | Annual |
| 3-bedroom property | $2,268 | Annual |
| 4-bedroom property | $3,024 | Annual |
Fees are assessed per bedroom and due in full at application and renewal. There is no prorated period — if you receive a license mid-year, you still pay the full annual fee.
Key Rules & Restrictions for Breckenridge Hosts
- Zone caps are strictly enforced: Resort (no cap), Zone 1 (92%), Zone 2 (51%), Zone 3 (10%).
- Licenses are non-transferable — new property owners must reapply.
- Zone 2 and Zone 3 are waitlisted; you cannot operate legally until a license is issued.
- Life safety inspection required: working smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, and egress windows in sleeping rooms.
- AUL number must appear on all listing platforms.
- Maximum occupancy: 2 people per bedroom + 2 additional guests (e.g., 8 guests for a 3-bedroom).
- No events or gatherings exceeding the maximum occupancy.
Taxes Short-Term Rental Hosts Owe in Breckenridge
Colorado state sales tax: 2.9%. Summit County sales tax: 2%. Town of Breckenridge local marketing district tax: 2.5%. Accommodation tax: varies. Total effective rate is approximately 9–11% depending on applicable local levies. Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit state and county taxes automatically; Breckenridge-specific assessments may require direct remittance.
Penalties for Operating Without a Permit in Breckenridge
Operating without an AUL: $1,000/day. Operating in a capped zone without a license: $1,000/day and license application ban. Violating occupancy limits: $500/incident. Failure to display AUL number: $250/violation.
How HostStarter Handles Breckenridge STR Compliance
Keeping pace with Breckenridge’s permit requirements — renewals, inspections, tax remittance, and ordinance updates — is a significant ongoing commitment. HostStarter’s full-service property management includes complete compliance handling: we track deadlines, coordinate inspections, ensure your listing always displays a valid permit number, and alert you to regulatory changes before they impact your revenue.
Get a free Breckenridge revenue estimate from HostStarter →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Breckenridge?
Yes. Breckenridge requires an Accommodation Unit License for any rental shorter than 30 days. You must also be in a zone with available license capacity — Zones 2 and 3 are currently waitlisted.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Breckenridge?
The AUL costs $756 per bedroom per year. A 2-bedroom property costs $1,512/year; a 3-bedroom costs $2,268/year.
How long does it take to get an STR license in Breckenridge?
Applications in Zone 1 and the Resort Zone are typically processed in 2–6 weeks. Zone 2 and Zone 3 applications are waitlisted — wait times can range from months to several years depending on turnover.
What taxes do Airbnb hosts owe in Breckenridge?
Breckenridge hosts owe Colorado state sales tax (2.9%), Summit County tax (2%), and various local levies totaling approximately 9–11%. Airbnb and VRBO automatically collect and remit state and county taxes.
What are the penalties for operating an unlicensed Airbnb in Breckenridge?
Operating without an AUL in Breckenridge carries fines of $1,000 per day. Violations in waitlisted zones can result in an application ban, meaning you may not be permitted to reapply.